Trump Issues Directive Targeting Funding Sources of Domestic Terrorism

In response to a surge in politically motivated violence, including the recent assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, President Donald Trump has issued National Security Presidential Memorandum 7 (NSPM-7). This directive instructs federal agencies to investigate and disrupt financial networks allegedly supporting domestic terrorism and organized political violence.

NSPM-7, titled "Countering Domestic Terrorism and Organized Political Violence," was signed on September 25, 2025. It mandates agencies such as the FBI's Joint Terrorism Task Force, the Department of the Treasury, and the IRS to probe and dismantle funding sources linked to domestic terrorism. The memorandum specifically names individuals like George Soros and Reid Hoffman as potential funders, despite acknowledging a lack of direct evidence.

The directive follows a series of violent incidents that have heightened national concerns. On September 10, 2025, Charlie Kirk, co-founder of Turning Point USA, was fatally shot during a public speech at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah. The accused shooter, 22-year-old Tyler Robinson, was arrested after a 33-hour manhunt and is being held without bond on charges including aggravated murder. Prosecutors intend to seek the death penalty, alleging that Robinson confessed to the crime in a private text, citing resentment toward Kirk's rhetoric.

The assassination has intensified national tensions over political violence. Multiple arrests have been made across the U.S. due to threats of politically motivated violence following Kirk's death. Incidents include a Texas man charged federally after allegedly threatening to attack a Pride parade in Abilene, claiming it was in retaliation for Kirk's death, and a woman in El Paso charged with arson for attempting to set a church on fire near a planned vigil for Kirk.

Shortly before the issuance of NSPM-7, a shooting targeting an ICE facility in Dallas resulted in multiple casualties. Shell casings found at the scene were inscribed with "ANTI-ICE," marking the third such incident in a year where perpetrators used inscribed bullet casings. Experts suggest this trend reflects a move toward symbolic communication by shooters, influenced by digital subcultures.

Critics argue that NSPM-7 represents a political use of federal power to target opponents and suppress constitutional rights. The memorandum's specific mention of individuals like George Soros and Reid Hoffman, despite acknowledging a lack of direct evidence, has raised concerns about potential political motivations behind the directive. The directive's broad scope and emphasis on investigating financial networks have also sparked debates about civil liberties and the potential for overreach by federal agencies.

The issuance of NSPM-7 follows previous efforts to address domestic terrorism. In June 2021, the Biden administration released the first-ever National Strategy for Countering Domestic Terrorism, which provided a nationwide framework for understanding and sharing domestic terrorism-related information, preventing recruitment and mobilization to violence, disrupting and deterring domestic terrorism activity, and confronting long-term contributors to domestic terrorism.

As the nation grapples with the implications of NSPM-7, the balance between national security and civil liberties remains a contentious issue. The directive's focus on financial networks and specific individuals underscores the complexities involved in addressing domestic terrorism while safeguarding constitutional rights.